After taking off all but one of his lei, the Dalai Lama takes to the podium at the Stan Sheriff Center. He’s wearing one lei and a visor.

Tells the students to think of him as another human, a brother. 

Everyone has a common desire to be happy. Very purpose of our life is for happiness. For joyfulness. Our life depends on hope. Our existence. Our survival. 

Hope means something good.

The very purpose of life is a happy life. Joyfullness or happiness. Happiness is not necessarily physical pleasure. 

Two levels in daily life. One level sensorial. One level mental. Between the two, the mental level is much more superior, effective.

We have to think more seriously about mental level experiences. Physical level, our experience and animal experience more or less the same. But there’s a big difference on the mental level. Because of our brains. 

I believe the very purpose of education is to reduce the gap between reality and appearances. As far as material things are concerned, modern science is highly developed, through research and experimentation.

At the mental level, emotional level, modern education doesn’t seem adequate. 

Gap between physical and mental level. We must look for a deeper way. The real destroyer of our inner peace is fear, distrust.

Fear develops frustration. Frustation develops anger. Anger brings violence.

On the national level, even family level. Whenever we face some problems, we often use force.

Totally wrong.

Using force totally wrong.

Through the non-violent way, if you can change a person’s attitude, that’s a real victory.

When there are differences, talk and listen. 

Education is supposed to reduce the gap between appearance and reality. I’m trying to talk according to my own experience.

Not talking of Buddhism. Just talking at a human level.

Promoting ethics.

What’s the real meaning in Latin of ethics. Some connection to god or spirituality, I don’t know.

Says English professors know better.

Some of his friends feel that any moral ethics must be based on religious faith. Muslim friends. Christian friends. They’re not happy when I use the word secularism. But in Indian thought, secularism not at all negative toward religion. It respects all religion, including non-believers.

By secular ethics I mean based on our common experience, common sense and latest scientific findings.

Scientists now begin to feel that for inner peace mental health very essential.

Now scientists are showing more interest in proper mental development.

On the basis of our common experience, common sense and scientific findings, we can make more awareness of the ultimate source of happiness within ourself. More self confidence. Not blind self confidence. But combined with compassion. Inner strength. That reduces fear.

More sense of respect. Sense of concern of others’ well being, including your own enemy. Your enemy is also a human being. They also have every right to achieve happy life.

We have the ability to develop a genuine sense of concern for them. No basis for hatred. For anger.

Respect of your enemy, keep lovingkindness to your enemy, doesn’t mean you submit. In case of injust action by some people, you have to take counter measures. But with respect. But with genuine concern for their long-term future interests.

Compassion, there are two levels. One biological. Another level of compassion, through training, through reasoning. 

According to my own experience, when you pass through a difficult period and some people criticize you, it doesn’t disturb your mental peace. 

My point, the awareness of the value of positive thought, love, compassion, forgiveness, tolerance. Not through meditation. But through analysis. Through awareness. That I call education. 

A big portion of the 7 billion people are non believers. They may say they’re following a religion. But it’s more tradition. Out of habit.

Was asked by a Chinese journalist why he described him as a son of India. Thought it was a political statement of some kind.

He says he studied ancient Indian thought. Ate Indian food. Then the journalist understood it.

I respect India. I love India.

Indian people are generally very religious minded. Every Indian home has some statue of god or goddesses. They pray. But in the meantime…

Worship god or money…no third way.

Formally, some people are religious believers. But they’re not. That’s why he thinks so many of the 7 billion people on the planet aren’t genuinely religious.

It’s wrong to think that people not interested in religion aren’t interested in love, compassion.

Human beings are social animals. On the emotional level, the sense of concern for others’ well-being brings people together. An individual’s future is entirely dependent on the community.

Today, with the global economy, the world has become one entity.

That’s the reality. We’re just a big human family. 

It’s secondary whether we’re from a different country or different religion.

I have three commitments.

No. 1. Promotion of non violence. Promotion of peace. Depends on mental attitude. Compassion through mental thinking. Can be a big difference between what people say and do. Must deal with motivation level.

No. 2. Promotion of religious harmony. On this level, I’m a Buddhist. The first level, I’m a human being. In philosophy field, even within the Buddhist tradition, there are different philosophical views, different views. But all carry the practice of love, compassion, forgiveness. All faiths carry the same practice. The real purpose of these different philosophies is the same. Same goal. 

No. 3. Handed over political responsibility to an elected leader. This is about leadership of the Tibetan people. He formally handed that over.

Without trust, how can people live happily. As social animals, we need genuine cooperation. In order to have that, you need a sense of community, of belonging. For that, trust is a key factor. Destroyer of trust is fear. An open heart is very important for a healthy family, healthy community.

Speaks directly to the generation in the audience. There was too much violence, too much destruction in the 20th Century. 

20th century a marvelous century. Many inventions. But such immense violence.

Now this century must be a century of peace. A century of peace does not mean no longer problems among humanity, even increasing. The only way is to deal with the problems. Not through violence. But through logic. Reason. Mutual respect. Dialogue.

This century should be a century of dialogue. You have a heavy responsibility to build a happy humanity, a happy century.

Now he’s going to take some questions.